The History of Estero, Florida

Estero, Florida has a varied and colorful history. It was first inhabited by the ancient tribes of Native American Calusas. Archeologists believe that nearby Mound Key in Estero Bay could have been the tribes' regional center. In the 1500s it was Spanish explorers who happened upon the area and named it Estero, the Spanish word for estuary. By the 1800s pioneers started settling in the area and in 1904 a celibate society called the Koreshans built a post office and Estero officially became a town. Four years later, upon the death of their leader, the society broke up and today visitors can walk the Koreshan State Historic Site as part of a guided tour. Estero remained quiet for several decades until its first major development was built along the Estero River in the late 1960s. By the end of the 20th century, Estero had really come into its own. Florida Gulf Coast University, Southwest Florida's first four-year university, opened in 1997. Germain Arena and Miromar Outlets opened in 1998 bringing an entertainment and sports venue and world-class shopping to the area.

Today Estero, Florida is a rapidly developing upscale community that encompasses natural beauty, excellent schools, health care facilities, major performing art centers, museums, art galleries, recreational events, and a multitude of housing opportunities. Estero is located between Naples and Bonita and is conveniently close to Interstate 75.